paul1’s AchillesBlog

Hey Dan, thanks for your note. I’m so sorry that yours happened on the very first day of PB. I was an avid tennis player for many years but tore my scapho-lunate tendon in my wrist last year and so after healing, I thought I’d switch to a less strenuous sport. I played PB for about 5 months before I blew out my Achille’s tendon this year, but that was enough to get me hooked on the sport, so yes, I’m pretty sure that I’ll go back to playing it once I”m healed. I do think I’ll probably dial it down a bit on the court from now on though and attempt to avoid any further injury. In some respects, it’s probably good this happened as it’s given me some perspective on the need to back down on sports. In particular, I have also been an avid mountain biker for many years and in the recent past, I have barreled down the mountain at breakneck speeds - pushing my limits and I’m very fortunate that I never wiped out as those could have been catastrophic injuries.

I do intend to ask for the PT referral, and my doc has already said no problem if I want it, he’ll refer me. His opinion is just that walking is really all that’s needed. I’m

Paul, like you I tore mine playing PB, the very first day I ever played it. I was never much of a tennis player, but did play a lot of Platform Tennis for about 20 years. I was 65 when I ruptured my AT. I opted for the non-surgical route.

I am shocked to hear that your surgeon doesn’t think you’ll “need” PT. Since you are retired, and not needing to hurry back to work, I’d strongly recommend you push for a PT referral, go at least a few times and see if it’s helpful for you.

Are you planning on returning to PB? I have decided not to. I will stick to walking and golf.
Best of luck as you progress through the process of healing.

Just a quick followup: I went for a boot walk around the nearby 0.75 mile park loop with my wife yesterday (5 weeks post surgery). I stopped a few times along the way to rest, but had no problem making it all the way around. I’ve been walking in the boot for the past 6 days and it has gotten progressively easier with each passing day.

I also plan to start back up with my gym workouts tomorrow. I worked out once last week and was so happy to be back that i probably overdid it a bit - my arms/shoulders were pretty sore for a couple days afterward but i’m ready for more now!

Thanks Fred. I have found that tightening the boot straps and filling the air bladder around the heel really helps provide stability and I’m now able to walk relatively well. I went to the gym yesterday and had a full workout (mostly upper body) including ~20 minutes on a stationary bike which was great! No pain whatsoever today so I’m going to slowly increase my walking distance over the next coupla days with a goal of making it around a nearby park loop by this weekend (loop = 0.75 miles).

Doc didn’t want me walking in a pool just yet.

Best Regards
Paul

I still dont walk a mile after 6 months, but I never did before anyway! However, I did short walks at first, and I was discouraged by a limp for the first 5 months or so, however, I could walk without pain, and the limp goes away slowly. You have to develop ‘pushup’ strength with your foot, and walking in pools helped me the most I think.

I was a very slow walker at first. Just one foot forward a half step. Then bring the other foot to the same position, and repeat. It is amazing how fast people normally walk! But in time you should be ok.

Congratulations on FWB! Happy for you and can’t wait until I get in a boot : D. Interested to hear about how it is after walking your 1st mile. Do go slow, I wish you all the best with the rest of your journey!

Good luck on your journey Paul. I’m a newbie in this and hope that your recovery goes well!